Beam form



BEAM FORM Filed 001. 24, 1924 f v Fi .4.

a b c d e f g k Juvenior: Y Leo IBruoaf 614,1 M Mira M47 flags. I

Patented Nov. 6, 1928.

UNITED STATES LEO I. DEUCE, OF HOLLISTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO'JOSEPHINE B. BRUCE,

PATENT OFFICE.

01' GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS. J I

3mm roam.

Application filed October 24, 1924. Serial No. 745,615.

This invention relates to cncrete forms and more particularly to beamforms.

The invention has for its object among others to provide a form and moreparticularly a beam form which can be quickly applied and usedrepeatedly without any preliminary cutting or fitting and which is 0aracterized by flexibility so that it may be fitted to different sizesand lengths; to provide a form which shall be reasonable in cost and ofsimple construction and mode of use, as distinguished from the morecostly and complicated form structures heretofore used;

other objects are to provide a form unitand a form comprising aplurality of such units.

These and such'other aims and objects of the invention as shallhereinafter appear will be readily understood from the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawing of severalembodiments .of the invention herein shown and described forillustrative purposes, the scope of the invention bein more particularlypointed out in the appen ed claims.

In the drawin Fig. 1 is an isometric projection of one illustrativeembodiment of the invention in its application to steel beam forms; i.e. fireproofed steal beam forms;

Fig. 2 is a cross-section of another illustrative embodiment of theinvention in its application to steel beam forms;

Fig. 3 is-a further illustrative embodiment of the invention incross-section in its application to concrete beam forms;

Fig. 4 shows diagrammatically beam forms of various shapes to suitvarious purposes,

obtained by variously combining the two parts of variously shaped unitsof the divided type shown in Fig. 3; and

Figs. 5 and 6 show an addition to a unit, of special pieces to meetspecial requirements.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. 1, the beam formembodying my invention ma comprise one or more units, two such units ingshown in Fig. 1. In the illustrative embodiment of the invention shownin said figure, each unit is of general oblong rectangular shape, openat the top, comprising the two side walls 22 and bottom wall 4. Undercertain conditions stiffenmg means may be provided for the units or anyof them. Herein said stiffening means 1s exemplified by outwardlyturning the upper edges of the two side walls for example, atsubstantially right angles as shown at 66. Stifiening means may howeverbe provided at any other point, as may be re- Wires or hangers 10 whichmay extend through openings 12' provided in the side walls 2 of theform, and then upwardly over the flanges6, the free ends of the wirebeing connected to the main wire portion 10 by twisting about the latteras shown at 14 or in any other suitable manner. The engagement with thesides of the form may however be otherwise made within the sco of myinvention. It will thus be seen t at the form is suspended, or supportedfrom above, and in the illustrative embodiment shown, lat-' orally or atthe sides, and by the beam itself, which latter will be supported by thewalls of the structure, as will be readily understood.

The form units may be caused to butt at their ends, but I preferablycause successive units to overlap as shown in Fig. 1; units of one andthe same length may thus be used for beams of various lengths. Thesheets or plates of which the units are made being ofa to overlap to anydegree desired in order that the form may tit the space.

In accordance with my invention means may be provided for supporting theslab forms in correct position. As one convenient means to this end,means may be provided to support the joists upon which are laid theplanks or other means forming the contact surfaces for the slab. As oneillustrative means to this end supporting members 16 may be provided atthe side Walls 2 of the units, upon which may rest at approximate rightangles the joists 20 supporting the planks 22 forming the contactsurface for the slab, the out-turned flanges 6 of the side walls of thebeam units extending over said planks; or they could rest upon the uppersurface of said joists, substantially flush therewith. These members 16thus take the place of the usual stringer pieces. In the illustrativeembodiment of the invention herein shown, these members are supported bythe wires or hangers 10.

It will be seen that means are thus provided for suspending the slabcontact surface without placing any stress on the beam forms, it beingsupported from above and in the embodiment of the invention hereinillustrated, the suspension is from the beam.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 2 the supporting orsuspending means is more substantial than wires, it being more in thenature of bars 24. Herein such means comprises two bars 24 which mayhave substantially the general shape shown in Fig. 2. As shown in saidfigure each of the two bars will preferably have one end portion shapedto overlie the top flange of the I-beam 8 crosswise, the end 26constituting means to engage the edge of said flange and being hereinbentor hook-shaped for that purpose. Each bar 24 is further providedwith a portion 28 constituting means to which'the form unit 2 may besecured by any suitable means such as bolts 30. Means is also providedto keep the form unit suitably spaced or positioned laterally relativelyto the beam, said means herein consisting of the angularly disposed endportions 32 of said bars 24, the ends of said portions 32 buttingagainst the Web of the I-beam for this purpose.

As shown in Fig. 2 the supporting means 24 may support the contactsurface for the slab or slab forms. In accordance with my invention anysuitable means may be provided for that purpose. As one convenient meansto that end the usual stringer pieces 18 may be secured by any suitablemeans, as by bolts 30, to the bars 24, said stringer pieces 18supporting the usual cross joists 20 upon which rest the usual planks 22constituting the slab contact surface.

It will be seen that by my method of supporting or suspending the beamform and slab form carrying means, the beam form is relieved of theweight of the slab. The relieving the beam form from the stresses due topartially supporting the slab form, enables the beam form to be made oflighter and less expensive material.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in Fig. 3 the beam form is shownas made in two parts 3434 each part being rectangularly shaped as shownin said figure with an edge-flange 36 by which the two parts can besecured together by bolts 38. Any other suitable means other than theflanges 36 and bolts 38 may however be used for securing said partstogether within the scope of my invention. This construction facilitatesassembling and the flanges 36 act as stiffening means. It will also beapparent that if any other than a rectangular contour is desired for thebeam the parts 34 may be suitably shaped for that purpose withoutdeparting from the scope of my invention.

The form of form unit illustrated in the drawings may be used for ironbeam forms or for all concrete beam forms or for so-called reinforcedconcrete beam forms and they may be sup orted by other means than thosealready escribed. In Fig. 3, for example, the outturned upper flanges 6of the form are shown as resting upon suitable supporting means, saidsupporting means being herein conveniently formed by the joists 20 whichrest upon the stringer pieces 18 supported at intervals by verticallydisposed joists or posts 40. Here again the beam forms are suspended, orsupported from above, and this arrangement is particularly adapted foruse in forming all concrete beams. In such case the usual reinforcingmeans such as rods 42, for example, may be suitably disposed within theform before pourin in the concrete.

In Fig. 4 I have i lustrated how by the use of a few standard forms orform units made in accordance with my invention a great number ofvariouslv shaped forms or units may he obtained to fit practically allconditions. Taking three standard forms a, b and c, for

example, it will be seen that by combining a half of a with a half of 0one may obtain d; by combining one half of a with one half of b one mayobtain e; by combining one half of b with one half of c f may beobtained; by combining the two halves of a with their longer sides m ahorizontal positon 9 may be obtained; and finally by combining one halfof a with one half of b with their longer sides in a horizontal positionit will be obtained.

It may sometimes happen that a beam form unit has to be placed in such asituation that some addition to the unit of a special character becomesnecessary in order to complete the form. For example, the end unit of abeam form may abut against a sup orting pillar or column which isnarrower than the trans- 7 unit abutting verse diameter of the unit. Insuch case some addition should be made to the end of the the column soas to complete the form. I ave found it preferable to make any suchadditions, for whatever purpose, of material other than metal althoughmetal could be used for the purpose. In Figs. and 6 such a situation isillustrated and it will be seen that the additions are of wood, theparts 44 and 46 being secured to the end of the unit, and the parts 48,50 and 52, by nailing or otherwise, to parts 44, 46. Any suitable meansmay be used in accordance with my invention for securing the addition tothe end of the unit. Herein such means is exemplified by perforations 54extendin along the edge of the unit by means of whic and wires I orother means, the parts 44 and 46 are secured to the unit. I preferablyuse wood for such additions as being generally readily available.

It will be apparent that by using a greater number of standard forms thecombinations obtainable may be multiplied indefinitely but it will befound that a few standard forms will suffice for all purposes.

Beam forms embodying my invention ossess many advantages over thoseheretoore used in the art.

By my invention much 'field labor is eliminated. Also as the forms inaccordance with m invention can be used repeatedly on many jo s, a wasteheretofore incident to forms for use in concrete work is done away with.Much time is also saved in assembling and erecting the forms and thehandling of the job is greatly simplified. Much storage space on the obis saved and the working conditions are greatly improved. By myinvention also the beam forms and stringer or other supporting meanswhich carries the slab form may be supported in a manner which relievesthe beam forms of the weight of the slab. This relieving of the beamform of stresses due to partially supporting the slab forms, enables thebeam forms to be made of lighter and therefore less expensive material.

other advantages will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in theart.

It will be ap arent that it'is not indispensable that all oi thefeatures of the invention be used conjointly since they may be used toadvantage separately in various combinations and sub-combinations. Itwill also be understood that while the invention is herein described asembodied in the details illustrated, the invention is not to beconsidered as circumscribed bv or limited to these details,

or any of them, but that the said details may be variously modifiedwithin the true scope of the invention which is definitely set forth bythe claims.

I claim:

1. A beam form of sheet material open at 2. In combination. a beam formunit of metal for fireproofed steel beams and means,

comprising a hanger laterallyengaging said .unit and extending over saidsteel beam, to suspend said unit from thelatter.

3. In combination a beam form unit of metal for fireproofed'steelbeams,'and sup porting means for said" unit comprising means extendingover said steel beam and engaging said unit at opposite sides.

4. A beam form of metal open at the top and comprising a bottom wall;side walls provided with perforations; and supporting means engagingsaid perforations to suspend said form in operative position.

5. A beam form of metal open at the top and comprising side walls; abottom Wall, and means effective at opposite sides of said form tosuspend the latter in operative position.

6. In a form for concrete work, a beam form; a slab form; slab formsupporting means; and means to suspend said beam form in operativeposition, said suspending means engaging the beam form through theopposite sides directly engaging and supporting the slab form sup ortingmeans.

7. In a form or concrete work, a metal.

" .form in operative position.

10. A beam form unit of sheet material for fireproofed steel beams, andsupporting means for said unit comprising means so. ported by said steelbeam and engaging said unit at opposite sides.

11.. A beam form unit of sheet material for fireproofed steel beams, andsupporting means for said unit comprising means ex tending over saidsteel beam and engaging said unit at opposite sides.

12. In a form for, concrete work, in combination, a beam form; a slabform ;a stringer carrying the latter; and a hanger supporting said beamform and directly supporting said stringer.

13. In a form for concrete work, in combination, a metal beam form; aslab form;

m ans in suppmi said metal beam form in 0pemtive position; and a slabform carrying stringer piece carried by said metal beam form.

1- In a form for concrete work, in combinut ion :1 metal beam formcomprising a plurality of parts adapted to overlap; a slab form; meansto support said metal beam form in operative osition; and a. slab formcarrying stringer plece carried by said metal bezl 111 form.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name. to this specification.

LEO I. BRUCE.

